TPI Ltd Poppy Grower Expression of Interest

I’m interested in growing poppies.

What next…?

TPI Ltd
Poppy Grower
Expression of Interest

The Poppy Industry in Australia

There are currently three licenced poppy processors based in Australia and TPI Ltd (TPI) is the only
Australian owned poppy processor.

We are pleased to be able to share this excellent cropping opportunity to expand our growing
capacity. TPI believes this will be an exciting step in expanding an already successful industry and
would like to hear from interested farmers.

This expansion is aimed at ensuring security of supply of poppy straw to its extraction and
purification facility.

Who is TPI?

TPI is an Australian, public non-listed company established in 2004, and is one of only nine licenced
narcotic facilities in the world.

TPI currently employs 70 full-time staff and has been directly responsible for over $80 million of
investment since 2007. By the end of the 2013 harvest TPI had directly contributed $36 million to
Tasmanian poppy growers since its licence was granted in 2007.

With proven commercial sales of Narcotic Raw Material (Morphine and Thebaine) to blue chip
pharmaceutical companies around the world, TPI continues to expand to meet global demand for
pain relief.

The basis of TPI’s success is the use of an innovative water-based technology for the extraction and
purification of Morphine from the poppy variety Papaver Somniferum.

TPI is the only narcotics facility in the world that does not use toxic petroleum-based solvents and as
a result, TPI has significant, sustainable health, safety, economic and environmental advantages. This
represents true Australian innovation, which TPI continues to develop through its Research and
Development program.

Poppies will provide farmers with a lucrative
break crop. Security and compliance are
integral to maintaining the reputation of the
industry.

Potential Growing Area

Poppies grow best if they have at least 200mm of top soil into which their root system can grow.
Ideal soil types are lightly textured and free draining.

Poppies do not like ‘wet feet’ therefore heavy clay soils are best avoided.

During the growing season, the amount of water applied needs to be carefully monitored as high
rainfall and winds are detrimental to the crop’s viability.

Details of previous cropping and residual herbicides is critical in assessing a paddocks suitability to
grow poppies.

Activity Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan
Farmer National Police Check

Licence Approval
Seed Cleaning/ Coating
Seed Bed Preparation

Sowing
Crop establishment

Agronomy
Crop in flower

Harvest
Testing
Grower Payment

Poppy Growing Season in the Southern Hemisphere

Sowing
Poppies are sown ideally between April and June into well prepared seed beds, not too firm and with
the surface free of turf, straw, weeds and other vegetable matter.
TPI Field Service Officers provide agronomic support throughout the growing season.

Harvesting
Harvesting takes place between December and January depending on sowing date.
Poppies can be harvested with a combine header, however the preferred option is to harvest with a
forage harvester containing a specialised front which gathers the capsules while leaving the stem of
the plant in the field.
Again, TPI Field Service Officers will provide technical advice on equipment selection and operation
in order to maximise yield and therefore revenue to the grower.

Crop Security
TPI takes the security of the poppy crop very seriously. The plant is controlled and all persons
involved in the sowing, cultivation, harvesting and cartage of the poppy crop must undergo a
National Police Check.
Security measures are required at all stages of sowing, cultivation, harvest and cartage. Physical
security measures include: fencing, paddock location (ie. remoteness from busy roads), restricting
access of the paddock to only approved persons, and regular inspections by growers and Field
Service Officers.

Gross Margins
Poppies should deliver gross margins of between $2,000 - $4,000/Ha depending on crop
performance. TPI pays growers based on alkaloid content and wholecrop weight

Grower – Expression of Interest Form page 1 of 2

If you are interested in becoming a TPI Grower, please complete the below form and either fax,
post or e-mail to our office.

All questions are optional and if you have any further enquiries, please contact us.

Name_________________________________________________________________________

Preferred contact?
 Postal address___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
State______________________________________ Post Code_________________
 E-mail__________________________________________________________________
 Mobile_________________________________________________________________
 (please tick if SMS messages are ok to be sent to this mobile number)

1. Where is your farm situated?
2. What is the size of your farm?

3. What is your primary activity? cropping, livestock etc?

4. What crops do you grow on your farm? How do you see poppies fitting into your rotation?

5. Do you have irrigation on farm and if so, what type? (please circle)
centre pivot hard hose tape

6. How many hectares of your farm is irrigated?

Grower – Expression of Interest Form page 2 of 2
7. How much area could you assign to poppy crops?

8. What crops were grown in the paddocks you anticipate assigning to poppies?

9. What residual herbicides have you used on these paddocks over the last three years?
10. Have you used Treflan on any potential poppy paddocks?

If yes how long ago?

11. What soil type do these potential paddocks have? pH?

12. Are your paddocks fenced?

13. Do you have seeders capable of sowing 1 kg/ha, or harvesters and other relevant equipment
on farm?

14. What are your typical gross margins for their current cropping activities?

Contact: PO Box 7710, Launceston Australia, 7250
Address +61 3 6398 5254
Telephone +61 3 6398 5259
Fax [email protected]
E-mail